Downtown Santa Cruz Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Downtown Santa Cruz
Photo by MF Shearer
Photo by MF Shearer
Photo by Trevor Cleveland
Photo by Trevor Cleveland

Popular places to visit

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

4/5(16 reviews)

Enjoy the exciting rides at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and see why everyone loves this theme park in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Mystery Spot

Mystery Spot

3/5(2 reviews)

Find out about the history of Santa Cruz when you take a trip to Mystery Spot. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the surfing spots.

Mystery Spot
Santa Cruz Wharf

Santa Cruz Wharf

Explore the waterfront of Santa Cruz Wharf and enjoy activities such as surfing in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.

Santa Cruz Wharf
Natural Bridges State Park

Natural Bridges State Park

4/5(5 reviews)

You can take time to visit Natural Bridges State Park during your travels to Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.

Natural Bridges State Park
Ocean Street

Ocean Street

During your visit to Santa Cruz, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Ocean Street. Wander the area's beautiful beaches or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.

Ocean Street
Santa Cruz Main Beach

Santa Cruz Main Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Santa Cruz Main Beach during your trip to Santa Cruz? Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.

Santa Cruz Main Beach

Activities

Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy

Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy

AU$129
per adult
Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

AU$195
per adult
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz
Bay Area Rock Climbing

Beginner Outdoor Rock Climbing - Bay Area

AU$180
per adult
Beginner Outdoor Rock Climbing - Bay Area
See all activities in Santa Cruz

Our pick of the best Downtown Santa Cruz Hotel Deals

Pacific Blue Inn

Pacific Blue Inn

3 out of 5
636 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is AU$161 per night from 1 Oct to 2 Oct
AU$161
1 Oct - 2 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star guesthouse in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (878 reviews)
"Great service. Ideal location in between the beach and downtown. The chocolate chip cookies were a nice touch."

Reviewed on 20 Sept 2025

Pacific Blue Inn
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

4 out of 5
611 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is AU$209 per night from 28 Sept to 29 Sept
AU$209
28 Sept - 29 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,046 reviews)
Great Place
"Really great place to stay. Lovely comfortable room, barn door bathroom and walk in shower. Wish breakfast was included in the booking. We paid $50 (tip included)for avocado on toast and pancake with berries and 2 coffees, at the breakfast bar in the hotel. Not far from everything."

Reviewed on 8 Sept 2025

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Ocean Pacific Lodge

Ocean Pacific Lodge

2 out of 5
301 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is AU$159 per night from 8 Oct to 9 Oct
AU$159
8 Oct - 9 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,176 reviews)
"The service was nice, our A/C, bed, and shower were all great. It was very quiet at night. The close location to Wharf and Downtown eats is great. We had a top floor corner room, which we hoped for. But I think we were too far from the router, our internet was awful. Also they bizarrely had an ashtray ..."

Reviewed on 17 Sept 2025

Ocean Pacific Lodge
Dream Inn Santa Cruz

Dream Inn Santa Cruz

4 out of 5
175 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is AU$425 per night from 13 Oct to 14 Oct
AU$425
13 Oct - 14 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach resort in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,012 reviews)
"Amazing view!"

Reviewed on 22 Sept 2025

Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Marea Sol Hotel

Marea Sol Hotel

2 out of 5
301 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is AU$193 per night from 28 Sept to 29 Sept
AU$193
28 Sept - 29 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,166 reviews)
"Property is in a great location. Our rooms were not ready on time and our air conditioner did not work."

Reviewed on 18 Sept 2025

Marea Sol Hotel
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

3 out of 5
550 2nd St, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is AU$226 per night from 13 Oct to 14 Oct
AU$226
13 Oct - 14 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,219 reviews)
"Get location.. thank you for the hospitality"

Reviewed on 19 Sept 2025

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
See all 1,159 properties in Downtown Santa Cruz
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz which includes general coastal views and views as well as an individual male

Westside Santa Cruz

4/5(16 area reviews)

Travellers to Westside Santa Cruz praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay.

Westside Santa Cruz
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Beach Hill - Beach Flats

While there might not be top attractions in Beach Hill - Beach Flats, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Main Beach.

Beach Hill - Beach Flats
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Mission Hill

While visiting Mission Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Mission Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park.

Mission Hill
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Midtown

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Midtown and surrounding area, you can visit Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Ocean Street.

Midtown
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Upper Seabright

While Upper Seabright isn't home to many top sights, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Santa Cruz Harbor are some notable places to visit nearby.

Upper Seabright
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Seabright

While visiting Seabright, you might make a stop by sights like Santa Cruz Harbor and Seabright Beach.

Seabright

Downtown Santa Cruz Travel Guide

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